Multiple East Idaho wildfires occurred over the weekend, some of which damaged structures and threatened animals. And sadly, officials say many of the blazes appear to have been human caused.

With the National Interagency Fire Center anticipating normal to above normal fire danger in Southern Idaho through August, officials are urging people to obey the laws on public lands and properly maintain and monitor their vehicles to help prevent fires.

“Every human caused fire is preventable,” said Kelsey Griffee with the BLM.

A few of the fires that occurred over the weekend damaged or threatened structures. They also placed some animals in danger.

Shannon Paulson said a wildfire occurred near her home on West Tyhee close to the Fort Hall Reservation early Saturday morning. She said her husband, Andrew Paulson, who was up working late, spotted the fire around 1 a.m. He alerted emergency officials and neighbors who then helped spread the word to others living in the area.

Fort Hall firefighters responded to the scene and were assisted by others from Chubbuck and the BLM.

Fort Hall Fire Department officials say the fire covered 16 acres, and they are still investigating the cause.

Paulson said her husband did see vehicles in the area shortly before the fire started, but they’re not sure if the two incidents were connected. Still, they did report the information to investigators.

While firefighters battled the main blaze, Paulson said her husband and a neighbor kept the flames from creeping toward their properties and they watched over some horses pastured in the area of the fire to ensure they didn’t become trapped.

Paulson said they had several factors in their favor. Her husband had access to a water tank and he had recently mowed the pastures in the area for a fireworks show. In addition, the wind was blowing mostly northwest, driving the flames toward the river bottoms rather than the homes in the area.

“There were a bunch of saving graces that kept us all safe,” Paulson said, adding that she’s grateful they had taken some earlier precautions to protect their home and she urges others to do the same.

Thanks to the efforts of the firefighters and residents in the area, no structures were damaged and no animals were hurt in that incident.

Others weren’t so lucky.

A wildfire destroyed a home along Sunbeam Road southeast of American Falls on Sunday afternoon despite firefighters’ efforts to stop the flames.

Fire officials have not yet said what caused that blaze. Thankfully, no one currently resided at the home that was being renovated.

Another wildfire along Ridgewood Road off Pocatello Creek Road prompted the temporary evacuation of multiple homes on Friday afternoon. The flames came within yards of one residence and melted its siding.

That fire also damaged a shed and destroyed some power lines.

Authorities said the wildfire was likely human caused, but were still investigating.

While the above fires are still under investigation, authorities know other recent fires were caused by people’s actions.

The North Butte Fire that had burned 827 acres as of 4 p.m. on Monday was started by shooters who were using exploding targets illegally on public lands, according to BLM officials. That fire started 5 miles east of Sage Junction, south of Highway 33, on Sunday. Firefighters expected to have it contained by 8 p.m. on Monday.

“This is very disappointing as this is the second fire caused by exploding targets near Menan Butte this summer,” Jeremy Casterson, Upper Snake Field Manager, said in a news release. “Exploding targets are prohibited by the BLM because they can start wildfires and have caused multiple wildfires across Idaho.”

BLM officials say those who use exploding targets on BLM lands can be charged with a misdemeanor and held liable for costs associated with any fires they start. They say it’s also illegal to use incendiary, steel core or tracer ammunition on BLM lands through Oct. 20 due to the fire danger.

Griffee noted that shooters have caused four wildfires in Eastern Idaho this season, which burned more than 1,000 acres combined.

Vehicles are also starting some fires.

A wildfire on Saturday morning was sparked by a tire that came off a boat trailer on Interstate 15 between ON Semiconductor and Idaho State University’s former Research and Innovation in Science and Engineering Complex.

That fire burned toughly 10 to 15 acres of dry grass and brush and came within 100 yards of buildings along Alvin Ricken Drive.

BLM officials say another blaze started on Thursday morning and burned 77 acres of BLM and INL property. They say the cause was a wheel dragging from a boat trailer, which sparked 19 small fires along Highway 33.

“As you pack up to travel, take a few moments to reduce the chance of igniting sparks along the way by inspecting your vehicle and trailer for dragging metal and performing regular maintenance,” Fire Management Officer Joel Gosswiller said in a BLM news release.

Griffee also encourages people to be more cautious in the months ahead, especially since natural fires are already keeping firefighters busy enough.

Lightning started a fire on a mountain west of Pocatello on Monday afternoon.

The Howard Mountain Fire was ignited at approximately 3:30 p.m. on the mountain behind the Pocatello Simplot plant. Light black smoke billowing from the mountain top was clearly visible from U.S. Highway 30 near Interstate 86.

As of 4:30 p.m., four engines and a helicopter were fighting the fire, which had burned approximately 3 acres of land.

The Bureau of Land Management said no structures were being threatened and crews were expected to have the fire contained by 7 p.m.

As the fire season continues, Griffee urges people to help prevent wildfires by obeying shooting rules on public lands and properly maintain their vehicles and checking them often as they are traveling. She also encourages people to create defensible spaces around their homes.

She suggests people keep their grass cut and watered, prune tree limbs near their houses, remove leaves and other debris from their roofs and decks, and get rid of any juniper on their land.

“That definitely increases your home’s chances of survival,” she said.

For more tips, people can visit http://idahofirewise.org.